Mr Dadon, who is in Italy, said the performers' interest in Melbourne was "mind-boggling" after it became known Mr Pagnotta would be in charge next year.

But he said it was too early to announce who would be performing here next May.

The Italian will be in Melbourne next month as chairman of the jury panel for the Australian jazz awards and would announce his plans then, Mr Dadon said.

"It means the festival becomes the artistic equivalent to the capital city arts festivals," he said.

"The quality of the local performers will match that of the international content."

Mr Dadon said he hoped Mr Pagnotta's appointment would lead to increased tourism from interstate and South-East Asia and that the appointment would lead to increased sponsorship and government support.

The Melbourne festival has had a chequered history under the direction of Adrian Jackson, who also organises the much more successful Wangaratta festival.